Atlanta Hawks at Pistons: Game thread

Auburn Hills, Mich.Joe Johnson returns to the starting lineup after missing six of the last seven games with left knee tendinitis. Joe had been working out daily. He got the go-ahead to play after a workout during today’s shootaround. “It feels great,” he said. “I don’t have any pain it so that’s the main thing. As the game goes on, that’s the only concern. We’ve got to test it.”

  • As for the strength in the knee, Joe said: “Not to where I want it to be but from the last time I tried to play, 10 times better than that.”
  • Willie Green will miss his fifth consecutive game. In addition to a sore back, Green said he tweaked a hamstring while working out today.
  • Ivan Johnson is to leave the team after the game because of a death in the family. He’s expected to return for the game at Sacramento Sunday.
  • After an intense game against the Heat, the Hawks face a Pistons team that’s still last in the Central Division behind Cleveland in spite of showing signs of life since the start of February. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks are as spirited against a struggling opponent as they were at Miami.
  • Larry Drew: “You say struggling but this team has won 9 of its last 15. They’ve got some healthy bodies back, they have been playing well. They are coming off a big win against the Lakers, which they have to be feeling good about. It’s always a physical game when we play this team. That’s one thing we have emphasized with our players. This may be the most physical games of this road trip and that’s the mindset you have to have going into this game.”
  • Pistons forward Charlie Villaneuva (ankle) is expected to play for the first time since Jan. 4.

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

600 comments Add your comment

TMACfan

March 9th, 2012
7:45 pm

Look at this ball movement… Amazing…

jlewis

March 9th, 2012
7:46 pm

The Hawks were winning until Hinrich played more than Pargo and Radmon’s minutes went down. Josh is not a number one option, ISO Joe is long gone, MC brings that up to keep you guys fired up, be smart people, please.

Rod from College Park

March 9th, 2012
7:46 pm

Najeh,

Got any links for the game?

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
7:46 pm

Nice D thus far

Hawkfan

March 9th, 2012
7:46 pm

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
7:46 pm

So if Marvin is so good against the Pistons, maybe they want to trade for him? Hopefully?

[...] Hinrich Joe Johnson will return, according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta [...]

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
7:46 pm

doc

March 9th, 2012
7:38 pm

“that was dept unmasked responding ironically to his own post. ironically he cant just post without posting on something someone said, hence the follow up. nice to see your own feelings there dude.”

Nice one doc! Hehe

ntrigue

March 9th, 2012
7:47 pm

Like that we started off going to Josh in the post

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
7:47 pm

Joe deferring early .. fitting right in.

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
7:47 pm

launches and hits a 3 from my house.

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
7:47 pm

Hawkfan

March 9th, 2012
7:48 pm

We’re better with Joe. Don’t forget Kirk starts with Joe out. Just hope Kirk doesn’t screw up the 2nd team now

TMACfan

March 9th, 2012
7:48 pm

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
7:48 pm

Rod, it won’t let me link, but go to firstrowsports dot eu, there’s a link up there.

Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

Damn Zsa Zsa, cmon man

bk

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

tre bomb for all u joe haters

Ra'mon

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

Did Zaza just try to go between his legs? lol. That’s funny.

TMACfan

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

Silly Pachulia, Tricks are for kids.

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

Damp talking sh!t cause LD chose Ivan..

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
7:49 pm

Refs being lame again. That was all ball.

Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford

March 9th, 2012
7:50 pm

Stupid foul, I woulda gotten it clean, what a clown

Ra'mon

March 9th, 2012
7:50 pm

ISO Kirk, lol.

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
7:50 pm

hell if he aint capable of dropping 25.

Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford

March 9th, 2012
7:50 pm

Josh Traveled, why is he such a hater

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
7:51 pm

Josh is playing like he wants to be traded.

Melvin

March 9th, 2012
7:51 pm

Nice start by the Hawks….

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
7:51 pm

this is how you play the game Josh.. keep it up

ntrigue

March 9th, 2012
7:51 pm

Looks like ownership told Drew to keep running offense thru Josh and let Joe be 2nd fiddle! I like im sure LD hates it!

Ra'mon

March 9th, 2012
7:51 pm

Look at Josh quitting on his team.

BIG DOG

March 9th, 2012
7:51 pm

IM SORRY JOSH, HAWKS MUST KEEP YOU.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

Wabe

March 9th, 2012
7:52 pm

Hawks are ballin’…

Led by…

J.Smoove

TMACfan

March 9th, 2012
7:53 pm

Looks like the offense is running through Josh and the #1 guy, JJ as the #2.

Glad to see LD finally get his head out of his @ss for once.

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
7:53 pm

A lot of bump and grind basketball in the Eastern Conference, according to Nique. I wonder if Bob thinks a lot of people commit reacharounds during those games.

terrell

March 9th, 2012
7:54 pm

Damn, they’re back to ignoring the pg again.

Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford

March 9th, 2012
7:54 pm

Josh going to get exposed when he leaves, thinks he the man, dude is a clown

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
7:54 pm

hawksfancents95

March 9th, 2012
7:54 pm

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
7:54 pm

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
7:54 pm

DEBOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
7:55 pm

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
7:55 pm

21 points halfway through the quarter for the Hawks.

terrell

March 9th, 2012
7:55 pm

And Marvin blows the layup.

City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman

March 9th, 2012
7:55 pm

lmao of course marvin ended the streak

Rod from College Park

March 9th, 2012
7:55 pm

Thanks Najeh. First miss Marvin figures.

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
7:55 pm

Marvin got stuffed! Haha

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
7:56 pm

Damn pistons right there

Melvin

March 9th, 2012
7:56 pm

Its only fitting that Marvin missed the Hawks first shot of the night…LOL

terrell

March 9th, 2012
7:56 pm